Zone 5a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 30 and the average first fall frost around October 5: a growing season of about 158 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about May 14, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—May 14 – May 28Jun 28 – Sep 6—
ArtichokeFeb 12Apr 23 – May 7Aug 11 – Oct 6—
Arugula—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 7 – Jun 11Aug 17 – Aug 31
Asparagus—Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 16 – Jun 11 (once established)—
Beet—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 3 – Jul 15Aug 4 – Aug 18
Bok choy—Apr 9 – Apr 23May 24 – Jun 21Aug 7 – Aug 21
BroccoliFeb 26Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 8 – Jul 13Jul 30 – Aug 13
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 17 – Jun 14Aug 7 – Aug 21
Brussels sproutsMar 5Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 25 – Sep 19—
CabbageFeb 19Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 11 – Jul 16Jul 27 – Aug 10
Carrot—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 18 – Jul 30Jul 27 – Aug 10
CauliflowerMar 5Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 20 – Jul 18Jul 18 – Aug 1
CeleriacFeb 26May 7 – May 21Aug 25 – Oct 6—
CeleryFeb 26May 7 – May 21Aug 15 – Oct 10—
Cherry tomatoMar 26May 14 – May 28Jul 13 – Oct 5—
Collard greensFeb 19Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 1 – Sep 7Aug 20 – Sep 3
CucamelonApr 2May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 5—
Cucumber—May 14 – May 28Jul 8 – Aug 26—
Daikon radish—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 8 – Jul 13Jul 30 – Aug 13
Dry beans—May 14 – May 28Aug 17 – Sep 21—
Edamame—May 14 – May 28Aug 7 – Sep 4—
EggplantMar 19May 21 – Jun 4Aug 4 – Oct 5—
Endive / escarole—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 10 – Aug 14Jul 5 – Jul 19
Fava beans—Mar 19 – Apr 2Jun 12 – Jul 17—
Garlic—Sep 28 – Oct 19 (fall)Jun 25 – Jul 16 next year—
Green beans (bush)—May 14 – May 28Jul 8 – Aug 19—
Horseradish—Apr 9 – Apr 23Oct 5 – Nov 16—
Hot pepperMar 12May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 5—
KaleFeb 19Apr 2 – Apr 16May 27 – Aug 19Aug 25 – Sep 8
Kohlrabi—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 22 – Jun 19Aug 2 – Aug 16
LeeksFeb 5Apr 16 – Apr 30Aug 4 – Oct 13—
Lettuce—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 17 – Jun 28Aug 7 – Aug 21
Lima beans—May 14 – May 28Aug 2 – Sep 13—
Mâche (corn salad)—Mar 19 – Apr 2May 8 – Jun 19Sep 13 – Sep 27
Malabar spinachApr 2May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 5—
Mizuna—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 12 – Jun 23Aug 19 – Sep 2
Mustard greens—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 12 – Jun 23Aug 19 – Sep 2
Napa cabbageMar 12Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 25 – Jul 23Jul 13 – Jul 27
Okra—May 21 – Jun 4Jul 20 – Oct 5—
Onion (sets)—Mar 26 – Apr 9Jul 4 – Aug 8—
Onion (transplants)Jan 22Apr 2 – Apr 16Jul 11 – Aug 15—
Parsnip—Apr 16 – Apr 30Aug 14 – Oct 9—
Peanuts—May 14 – May 28Sep 11 – Oct 5—
Peas—Mar 19 – Apr 2May 18 – Jun 22Jul 16 – Jul 30
PepperMar 12May 14 – May 28Jul 28 – Oct 5—
Pole beans—May 14 – May 28Jul 18 – Sep 26—
Popcorn—May 14 – May 28Aug 22 – Sep 19—
Potato—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 8 – Aug 12—
Pumpkin—May 14 – May 28Aug 27 – Oct 1—
RadicchioMar 12Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 5 – Aug 9Jul 10 – Jul 24
Radish—Mar 26 – Apr 9Apr 20 – May 18Aug 27 – Sep 10
Rhubarb—Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 30 – Jul 9 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 15 – Aug 26Jul 7 – Jul 21
Scallions—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 1 – Aug 10Jul 30 – Aug 13
Shallots—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jul 11 – Aug 15—
Snap peas—Mar 19 – Apr 2May 23 – Jun 27Jul 11 – Jul 25
Sorrel—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 1 – Nov 2—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—May 21 – Jun 4Jul 30 – Sep 10—
Spinach—Mar 19 – Apr 2Apr 28 – Jun 9Aug 26 – Sep 9
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Apr 16 – Apr 30Oct 5 – Dec 14—
Sweet corn—May 14 – May 28Jul 28 – Aug 25—
Sweet potatoApr 9May 21 – Jun 4Aug 29 – Sep 26—
Swiss chard—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 10 – Sep 30Aug 4 – Aug 18
Tatsoi—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 17 – Jun 28Aug 21 – Sep 4
TomatilloMar 26May 14 – May 28Jul 28 – Oct 5—
TomatoMar 26May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 5—
Turnip—Apr 2 – Apr 16May 22 – Jun 26Aug 9 – Aug 23
Winter squash—May 14 – May 28Aug 17 – Sep 21—
Zucchini / Summer squash—May 14 – May 28Jul 3 – Sep 11—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 27 – Sep 14 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 16 – Aug 6 (once established)—
Blackberry—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 16 – Aug 20 (once established)—
Blueberry—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 2 – Aug 13 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—May 21 – Jun 4Aug 9 – Sep 13—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 25 – Jul 16 (once established)—
Currant—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jul 9 – Aug 6 (once established)—
Elderberry—Apr 9 – Apr 23Aug 13 – Sep 17 (once established)—
Fig—May 7 – May 21Jul 27 – Sep 21 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jul 9 – Aug 6 (once established)—
Grape—Apr 9 – Apr 23Aug 10 – Sep 21 (once established)—
Ground cherryMar 26May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 1—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 18 – Jul 9 (once established)—
Honeydew—May 21 – Jun 4Aug 24 – Sep 28—
Meyer lemon—May 21 – Jun 4Sep 7 – Nov 30 (once established)—
Peach tree—Apr 9 – Apr 23Aug 6 – Sep 17 (once established)—
Pear tree—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 13 – Aug 31 (once established)—
Plum tree—Apr 9 – Apr 23Aug 6 – Sep 3 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Apr 9 – Apr 23Aug 24 – Oct 5—
Raspberry (summer)—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 2 – Aug 6 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 8 – Oct 12—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Apr 9 – Apr 23May 28 – Jun 25 (once established)—
Watermelon—May 21 – Jun 4Aug 14 – Sep 18—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilApr 2May 14 – May 28Jun 13 – Sep 19—
Borage—Apr 30 – May 14Jun 24 – Sep 16—
Cannabis auto—May 14 – May 28Aug 2 – Aug 30—
Cannabis regular
Growing season (~158 days) is likely too short. Try a fast-maturing variety, start indoors, or use row covers.		Apr 16May 14 – May 28season too short—
CatnipMar 5Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 15 – Oct 19—
Chamomile—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 15 – Aug 24—
Chervil—Apr 9 – Apr 23May 29 – Jul 10Aug 2 – Aug 16
ChivesFeb 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 8 – Nov 9—
Cilantro—Apr 9 – Apr 23May 24 – Jun 28Aug 7 – Aug 21
Dill—May 14 – May 28Jun 28 – Aug 23—
Fennel (bulb)—Apr 30 – May 14Jul 19 – Aug 23Jul 3 – Jul 17
Garlic chivesFeb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 5 – Oct 26—
LavenderFeb 26May 7 – May 21Aug 5 – Sep 16—
Lemon balmMar 5Apr 30 – May 14Jun 29 – Oct 19—
Lemongrass—May 14 – May 28Aug 12 – Oct 5—
LovageFeb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 5 – Oct 26—
MarjoramMar 12May 7 – May 21Jul 16 – Oct 12—
Mint—Apr 23 – May 7May 23 – Oct 19—
OreganoMar 5Apr 30 – May 14Jun 29 – Oct 19—
ParsleyFeb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 25 – Oct 29—
Rosemary—May 7 – May 21Jun 21 – Oct 26—
SageMar 5Apr 30 – May 14Jul 14 – Nov 2—
SteviaMar 19May 14 – May 28Aug 12 – Oct 5—
Summer savory—May 14 – May 28Jul 13 – Sep 21—
Tarragon (French)—May 7 – May 21Jul 6 – Oct 12—
Thai basilApr 2May 14 – May 28Jul 13 – Oct 5—
ThymeMar 5Apr 30 – May 14Jul 9 – Nov 2—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 6 – Aug 15—
Begonia—May 14 – May 28Jun 28 – Oct 5—
Black-eyed SusanFeb 26Apr 23 – May 7Jul 22 – Oct 12—
Calendula—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 5 – Sep 11Aug 2 – Aug 16
ColeusMar 5May 14 – May 28Jul 3 – Oct 5—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Apr 30 – May 14Jul 29 – Oct 5—
Cosmos—May 14 – May 28Jul 28 – Oct 5—
Daffodil—Sep 7 – Oct 12 (fall)Apr 2 – Apr 30 next year—
Dahlia—May 14 – May 28Aug 22 – Oct 5—
Daylily—Apr 30 – May 14Jul 9 – Sep 3—
Geranium—May 14 – May 28Jun 28 – Oct 5—
Gladiolus—May 14 – May 28Aug 2 – Sep 6—
Hosta—Apr 30 – May 14Jul 9 – Sep 3—
ImpatiensMar 5May 14 – May 28Jul 3 – Oct 5—
MarigoldApr 2May 14 – May 28Jul 3 – Oct 5—
Milkweed—May 7 – May 21Aug 5 – Oct 5—
Nasturtium—May 14 – May 28Jul 8 – Oct 5—
Pansy / violaJan 22Apr 2 – Apr 16May 17 – Jul 26Aug 7 – Aug 21
Peony—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 4 – Jun 25 (once established)—
PetuniaFeb 26May 7 – May 21Jun 26 – Oct 12—
Phacelia—Apr 16 – Apr 30May 31 – Jul 26—
Rose—Apr 16 – Apr 30Jun 18 – Oct 1—
Salvia (ornamental)Feb 26May 7 – May 21Jul 16 – Oct 12—
SnapdragonFeb 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 5 – Sep 27—
StrawflowerApr 2May 14 – May 28Aug 12 – Oct 5—
Sunflower—May 14 – May 28Aug 2 – Sep 6—
Sweet alyssumMar 12Apr 23 – May 7Jun 12 – Oct 16—
Sweet pea (flower)—Mar 19 – Apr 2Jun 2 – Jul 28—
Tulip—Sep 14 – Oct 19 (fall)Apr 23 – May 28 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Feb 26May 21 – Jun 4Jul 20 – Oct 5—
Zinnia—May 14 – May 28Jul 23 – Oct 5—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Aug 17 – Sep 7 (fall)May 21 – Jun 18 next year—
Buckwheat—May 14 – May 28Jun 18 – Jul 16—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Aug 31 – Oct 12 (fall)May 21 – Jun 18 next year—
Crimson clover—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 1 – Jul 6Aug 6 – Aug 20
Hairy vetch—Aug 17 – Sep 14 (fall)Jun 4 – Jul 2 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Apr 2 – Apr 16Jun 1 – Jul 6Jul 30 – Aug 13
White clover—Apr 9 – Apr 23Jun 18 – Aug 27Jun 29 – Jul 13

Frost dates in zone 5a

Average last spring frost
April 30
Safe for frost-tender plants
May 14
Average first fall frost
October 5
Growing season
About 158 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 5a

Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 4b · Zone 5b · All zones and states